Most effective Sunscreen/Tanning Lotion to use in Islands?
 

I noticed this Maui Brown Babe lotion sold at ABC stores in Waikiki. It doesn't seem to have any real sunscreen properties which leads me to believe its just oil to help the sun burn your skin crispier. It contains Kukui nut oil which seems to be a cure-all for everything but I'm wondering what makes it work or if it even does.

On that note, what do you all think are the best sunscreens to use in Hawaii? The sun on the islands seems particularly intense, maybe due to the reflective qualities of all that white sand on the beaches. I've seen good prices on Coppertone at Walmart but Hawaiian Tropic seems to be more popular. Which do you think works best?

Coppertone Sport 30, suggested by many cosmetic surgeons post-operatively.

Also Bullfrog is great for intense sun. Keeps at same SPF (45 Spray or 50 Lotion) for 80 minutes when wet by water or persperation.

I burn very easily. The best lotion i ever used was Hawaiian Tropic spf 45.
Used it in the Caribbean and it worked great.

If you have fair hair and skin, Bullfrog products do very well. However, you might want to make a phone call to your doctor for a recommendation. Nothing can ruin a great beach vacation faster than a bad sunburn. --from one who knows--

I've seen Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Layer lotion with an SPF 70.

SPF 70? why not just wear a hat and T-shirt?

Bullfrog works well for me. Usually just spf 15 but put it on even enough and it works fine. But, I avoid the peak hours of sun,that makes all the difference.

Doc,
I do wear hat and collared shirt while at the beach! But also that sunscreen for my extremities...
What are some of the common spots you burn? I often forget the tops of my feet, and usually miss right around my front bathing suit straps. Once I saw a guy with a totally burned back, except for two white hand prints over his shoulders!

Maui Brown Babe is basically oil and iodine and/or coffee extract. The iodine will make your skin a little brown. The lack of sunscreen will make you burn. I've watched many a lobster-red tourist smearing themselves with the lotion and wondered at what they thought they were achieving.

Best bet is a waterproof SPF30 sunscreen. A full body application should take 1 oz of lotion - and even waterproof needs to be reapplied every 80 minutes or so. We like Coppertone Sport that the poster above mentioned. Regular clothing (t-shirt, etc.) only offers an SPF of 8 or 12 or something - so you often still need sunscreen.

Another vote for Bullfrog SPF 30 and higher. It is waterproof, rubproof and sweatproof. We have snorkeled for hours and never had a problem...just be sure to reapply.

I think the highest exposure area is side of neck to top of shoulders,and boy does it hurt when burned. I live in a beach town north of boston and we always see tourists in town at night with red streaks where they missed with sunscreen. Or a white nose with red cheeks. I think they have seen too much baywatch and think only noses burn.

Look into sun protection clothing, too. Most people burn under their clothes, which offer almost no protection.

Look for American Sun Protection Association certification.

http://www.americansun.org/

Bullfrog rocks! I've used everything and it is the best value sunscreen on the market.

I've heard they have a Bullfrog "watermelon".....is it scented this way? That would be a nice aroma.

When we went in March 2002 - bought our boys 10 and 11 - rash guards (surf shirts) and long swimsuits passed their knees. This saved a lot of pain from sunburn and only had to re-apply sunscreen to other areas. They still wear their rash guards to the pool in the summer almost two years later. We bought them for $14.00 at Kmart after we got off the plane on Maui. They have long and short sleeves and adult sizes too. Really saves the kids that boogie board all day too.

I *love* oil-free Coppertone, because I hate the greasy feel of most sunblocks. (ewww..who wants sand sticking to them?) I can put it on my face, too, without breaking out. Also, Rite Aid makes an oil-free that is exactly the same as the Coppertone but cheaper.

Riggsie, we call those Board Shorts.

Just for the record, there is only modest benefit to using SPF's above 30.
The numbers indicate how much solar penetration takes place thru the sunscreen:

SPF15 means that 1/15th (6.67%) of the sun's rays get through.
30 is 3.3%
45 is 2.2%.
SPF 45 will provide more protection than 30.
But from the standpoint of cost-effectiveness it's hard to justify spending significantly more for SPF45 when it makes only a 1.1% difference in the amount of sun which gets through versus SPF30.

Technically speaking, I don't know that any of the major manufacturers have cornered the market on the BEST sunscreen. Currently the FDA wants to cap SPF ratings at 30, because it's difficult to judge efficacy above that.

Also SPF is only for UVB, you also need protection from UVA. For this, I'd recommend a sunscreen that includes either zinc oxide or titanium oxide, for the reason that these compounds actually reflect the rays away from you instead of absorbing them. There is some debate about the possibility of chemicals that absorb UV rays releasing them as free radicals.

I've had very good luck with Coppertone and Nivea. I found that the Sport formula doesn't work quite as well for me as the other more formula that is more like lotion. I have moderately sensitive skin, and Bullfrog irritates it quite a bit.

I went through almost an entire bottle of Coppertone Shade SFP 30 during when I was in Maui 2 weeks ago. I did not get sunburned once, tho I was very conscious about when I was in the sun.

Pick a major brand that you trust and you should have no problems, just pick a SPF that is somewhere between 15-30, and don't forget to get a lip balm that includes sunscreen, lips need protection too!

My husband's feet burn very easily and he uses Banana Boat Sport SPF 30 and never burns. I use their SPF 15 and never burn. I love Banana Boat products. FYI, their SPF chapsticks work amazingly as well.